Son of William and Agnes Merriman, of "The Ash," Town Street, Sandiacre, Nottinghamshire. One of four brothers who served in the Great War with the Sherwood Foresters. The others were Private J Merriman, Private Horace Merriman and Corporal E. Merriman.

He was killed in action, 3rd September 1916, aged 22, in the attack at Beaumont Hamel, France during the Battle of the Somme.